Arrest Made In I-290 Crash That Killed Recent High School Grads: Cops

CHICAGO — An arrest has been made in the fatal crash on the Eisenhower Expressway Sunday that claimed the lives of two recent local high school graduates. Ashanti Gates, 21, of Chicago, has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, two felony counts of reckless homicide, and a misdemeanor of child endangerment.

Gates is currently being held at the Chicago Police Department (11th District).

Erick C. Cox, 18, of Rolling Meadows, and Shaelyn M. Sherwood, 18, of Hoffman Estates, were declared deceased at the scene of the crash. The two had recently graduated from Rolling Meadows High School and Schaumburg High School.

Illinois State Police said the crash occurred at around 3 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 290 (Eisenhower Expressway), westbound of Paulina Avenue. A white Toyota sedan had pulled on to the right shoulder, with its hazard lights on, due to a flat tire. The three occupants had exited the vehicle to change the flat tire.

Soon thereafter, a black Hyundai Sonata driven by Gates struck the parked Toyota and two of the car's occupants — Cox and Sherwood — that were changing the tire. The third occupant of the car was not struck.

Police said Gates had four other people in her car, including a 4-year-old boy. Gates, the child and one other person from the Hyundai were taken to area hospitals with injuries.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charges.

RELATED: 18-Year-Old Killed In Crash; 'Gentle Giant' Planned To Attend Columbia College —Reports